After nearly 7 years undergoing a major overhaul, Locomotive 12A is set to return to traffic very soon. The engine, which played “WOMBAT” in the children’s TV series ‘Come Midnight Monday’, has been through a ground-up rebuilt, with everything having been overhauled or replaced.
Above you can see the boiler being painted, and below, volunteer Ian Park bolts the side tanks back in place.
The photos show the incredibly high standard the restoration has achieved in the cab, above, including the correct finish and heritage colours, and below, the new smokebox door and fittings.
Above, an unpainted 12A sits in the sun, and below, with a warming fire lit, the workshop staff are getting ready to start testing. 12A has run several test trains, and with a few teething problems to iron out, is set to be the second engine reintroduced to traffic this year, following hot on the heals of Climax 1694…..watch this space!
